Mission Preparation

I am definitely someone who OVER-prepares for everything.

I make sure that nothing is left unconsidered or left behind. So naturally as I was preparing for such a major event as a mission, I wanted to be completely prepared. Of course, in the end what really happened was the opposite despite all the work I put forth.

Some things I overly prepared for:
1. Mission Preparation classes
   In the end I took 4 classes. Which is probably 3 too many. I really wanted to feel like I was really learning how to be a missionary before I left. I wanted to "hit the ground running" which was actually a phrase that my teacher told me near the end. I really suggest taking a class. I DON'T REGRET taking these classes, but I know that I did overly prepare by taking them. I am sure one class would have been enough. I had some companions who wish that they did, or had the opportunity to take one. Totally worth it.

2. Packing
   I did not know what to expect. I thought Russia was deprived of so many things. Really I just had no idea what WAS available to me. I heard rumors of people bringing the craziest things. I really had dump so many things on each transfer that I found out were a waste of space.

Here is a list of the things that I did not know existed in Russia:

   *Tampons- They are in the pharmacies everywhere (brands like "always" and "tampax")
   *Q Tips ... literally for like 10 cents everywhere
   *Face wash
   *Toothbrushes
   *Ibuprofen- but american medicine is a millions times better.
   *Can openers
   *Razors
   *Basically most things used for hygiene.

Things that are NOT in Russia that you need to adjust to:

   *Clothes Dryers.
   *Dish Washer
   *Swiffers- they got stick brooms and mops. For a mop they actually take a t-shaped pole and put a      
     cloth on it. If  you want a more "modern" one you have to go to the market and buy one.
   *Your Family and friends
   *The English language

Rare Finds:

   *Peanut butter- Found at Metro, Lenta, and Karosel
   *Oreos
   *Doritos
   *Baskin Robbins Ice Cream- store in samara (Revolution square)
   *Raspberries
   *Mountain Dew- Fix price (2 for 41 rubles)
   *Strawberries
   *Taco Shells and seasoning (santa maria tex mex brand)
   *Hersheys cookies and cream


Funny story about the tampons...
I had several companions bring tampons from home. In fact, most sisters had them-myself included. My companion in the MTC had a big freak out over this. She decided that she did not pack enough tampons to last her entire stay in Russia. (2 boxes) So she told her mom to send her more. She then received two large boxes for Christmas of all of these tampons! She ended up going to Russia with 7 boxes of them! She had like NO room in her luggage. It was a ridiculous waste of space and I am pretty sure she regretted it later on.

If you have any questions about things that are in and not in Russia, leave a comment and I can add it to the list later on.